Blink and you could almost miss a property for sale in Stakes Hill Road at Purbrook.

And, if you did, you would soon realise what a blinking shame it was for the house that has such a modest appearance from the road actually offers splendid family accommodation with five bedrooms and a massive rear garden.

“The current owners have done some research and it appears the original purpose of the property when it was built in 1850 was to act as a pump house to the gasometer serving the Oaklands House estate,” says Colin Shairp, of Town and Country Southern estate agents.

“But, forgetting its past, it has a fascinating presence with many interesting features, not least among them the well set under a glass top in the bathroom, furnished to reflect the era of washstands and claw foot baths.

“The sitting room is also interesting, set in the centre of the house under a magnificent vaulted roof space with exposed timbers and a bay window.

“At the front of the house is a bedroom ideal for guests as it has its own direct access to the bathroom, which has a double shower cubicle in addition to the claw foot bath. Separating the bathroom from the sitting room is a study with a bay window to match that in the sitting room.

“Towards the rear of the house is a kitchen / family room, perfectly equipped to meet modern needs and with the bonus of an island unit with a breakfast bar at one end, although the room also has space for a table. Double French doors link the kitchen with the conservatory that is a real sun trap and overlooks the rear garden.

“Beside the door to the utility and cloakroom is a spiral staircase in the corner of the kitchen that rises to the master suite which has a bedroom with cupboards arranged along two sides under the eaves and a shower room across the landing.

“The other three bedrooms are reached via a separate staircase at the front of the property. The each have a door onto the landing, which also serves a family shower room.

“With access to two junctions on the A3M, the central precinct in Waterlooville within walking distance, and good schools close by the house will perfectly suit a growing family, with children in particular appreciating all the space provided by the rear garden.”

Guide price is £500,000 (EPC Band B). For more information, contact Town and Country Southern on 023 93 277 288 or email sales@townandcountrysouthern.co.uk<